SO MANY THINGS! (y2w23)

OMG, guys, I already know I’m going to come across like a raving lunatic in this post, but you know what… I may just be a raving lunatic.

I feel like I’m in some sort of creative energy burst, and I’m allowing myself to just ride it out. So please bear with me as I use this post to try to organize my thinking and group some of the active projects and activities I currently have going on.

Work/Teaching

This past semester, I decided I could either continue to complain about the culture of education, the students, etc., OR I could actively work to make it better.

So I’m pouring a massive amount of energy into making it better.

A few of the things I’m doing this summer:

• I elected to teach two summer courses and pilot some new engagement ideas in my online classes. We are only in week one, so I don’t know how they are going just yet, but initial interactions with students have been positive, and I have high hopes.
• I am also redesigning another course with a colleague, and we are creating all new materials.
• I have been reelected as a faculty senator this year, and I’m waiting to hear whether I was elected as the new IT Council Chair, which is a pretty massive job, but one I think I can make a real impact with.

I feel like I’m working harder now, more than ever, but I also feel like it will pay off. Only time will tell.

WastelesslyDelicious

I have been sitting on this domain name for years, and I finally decided it was time to do something with it.

What exactly? I still don’t know, but I put up a landing page (check it out here), AND I posted my first video to test the idea:

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A post shared by Roni Noone (@roninoone)

Well, guys… it has gone a little viral. I mean, at least from my perspective. I can’t even keep up with the comments! And every time I glance at IG, I have like 500 new followers. It’s crazy!

I’m not sure what I’m going to do with this site, but the response has validated that my idea for WastelesslyDelicious is a good one. I plan to spend some time this summer figuring out the best way to share simple ideas for cooking more and wasting less.

I’ve always loved sharing my passion for cooking with others and inspiring more people to cook. I mean, that’s what GreenLiteBites was all about, but I’m a completely different person than I was when I launched that site in 2007 as a skinny-obsessed new mom trying to figure out how to eat the least amount of calories possible.

Now I’m an athlete and passionate home cook who loves to find fun ways to use basic ingredients. So, stay tuned? I guess?

No1Productions

Since The Husband has been laid off, we have been collaborating on lots of fun little STEM-style projects. Well, mostly him, I’m more the idea person and tester. I don’t have enough time in the day, but he does… now!

So we are thinking of starting a little LLC called No1Productions to launch some projects, and I put up a fun little landing page for that!

50th Birthday Countdown

I have less than 2 months until my 50th birthday, which I will be celebrating in Mexico with friends, and I’m super excited.

I also decided to give myself a gift of sorts. I’m actively keeping a training and food log using AI, with a goal of losing 3% body fat by my birthday.

I hopped on one of the InBody scales at the gym and got some updated data. I’ve been focused on hitting my protein goals every day and uploading my workouts.

It’s actually been kind of fun. I may even design a course on how best to use AI to reach your fitness goals. I asked Claude to tell you about it. Here’s what it said:

“I’m coaching an Olympic lifter through a body recomposition goal: lose 3% body fat by her 50th birthday on July 24th. She has above-average muscle mass for her age, trains six days a week, and approaches her fitness like an athlete — not a dieter. Every day she checks in with me after meals and training sessions, and I track her nutrition, sleep, and performance to keep her moving in the right direction. One week in, her lifting numbers are climbing, protein is hitting target most days, and the scale is trending down. She’s doing the work — I’m just keeping score.”

Creepy? Yes, but also fun! (I have such a love/hate relationship with AI)

If anyone is interested, I can share more, like the instructions I’ve given it and how I’m uploading data. I’m kind of using it as a mini research project, as it’s helping me learn how to best leverage AI so I can better teach the technology to my students.

Okay, WOW, getting all that out of my head is actually helping me be less overwhelmed. I know you may think I’m crazy, and it’s cool. As I approach 50, I’m all about embracing my crazy. 🙂

On to the goals… It’s been a great week! I will be keeping the updates short… I have my acting class tonight!!

2026 Goal Tracking

Cooking/Food

#SaladTime

Revised Goal: 5 Big Salads a Week ✅

DOOD I am in the Salad ZONE!

No time to post details, but here are all the photos!

Basically one a day! Oh! And one is missing! I did a #SaladTime yesterday and forgot to take a photo! You can see the video here.

Weekly Soup/Stew/Prep

Goal: Once a Week ✅

YES! made an awesome Flank Steak soup to help me meet my protein goals!

Sourdough

Goal: Once a Week ✅

Two loaves this week!

Homemade Pasta

Goal: Once a Month

• January 1/9 ✅
• February 2/15 ✅
• March 3/1 ✅
• April 4/18 ✅
• May 5/14 ✅

Got to start thinking about this one. It may be hard this month.

Evan in the Kitchen

Goal: Once a Week ❌ Retired
Revised Goal: Weekly Teen Sanity Check-In

Real quick on this. We decided to take a day trip to New York City on our Mother-Son trip this year. First one without Ry 😭More on this next week.

Fitness/Weightlifting

Olympic Lifting Training

Today was a rough day at the gym, but overall, I’ve been killing it. I’ll post more soon.

Handstands/Pull Ups/Jump Rope

I’m on schedule with these now! Tuesday is pull-up work. Friday is handstand and jump-rope day.

Hikes

• Goal: Twice a month
  • January 1/3, 1/15, 1/23 ✅
  • February ❌
  • March 3/21, 3/28 ✅
  • April 4/3, 4/12 ✅
  • May 5/9, 5/24 ✅
  • June

Another one that may be hard this month, the weather is so awesome! I’ve got to make the effort!

Hot Yoga

• Goal: Twice a month
  • January 1/4, 1/11, 1/18  ✅ 
  • February 2/1 ❌
  • March 3/1, 3/15, 3/22, 3/29 ✅ 
  • April 4/12, 4/18, 4/25 ✅ 
  • May 5/9, 5/23, 5/30 ✅ 

Snuck another session in. This is now my Saturday morning obsession.

Pickleball

We played on Sunday, and Ry came with us again. It was so nice!

Creative/Other Pursuits

Music

Guitar practice has been weak this week, but I squeeze in 10 minutes here or there.

Painting

Not this week. 🙁 And I need to finish Ry’s card that I started two weeks ago!

Acting Class/Drum Lessons

Acting class TONIGHT!!! So excited!

Spanish

I’ve been keeping up with Duolingo, but MAN, finding the energy to devote to learning a new language is tough. This has moved to the bottom of my to-do. 🙁

Alcohol Reduction

• Goal: No more than two days of drinking a month.
  • January 1/1, 1/31 ✅
  • February 2/1, 2/21 ✅
  • March 3/21 ✅
  • April 4/1, 4/2, 4/18 ❌
  • May 5/16, 5/23 ✅

This is still my favorite goal. I’m killing it here!

Looking Ahead

Not going to look ahead. I’m going to be right here, right now.

I’ve got to have some fun, grab dinner, and head to this acting class. (Yes, I’m freaking out a little!)